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Para-snowboarder Matthew Robinson dies after race crash in Spain

Para-snowboarder Matthew Robinson has died while being transported home to Melbourne after a race crash in Spain.

The Australian Paralympic Committee announced his death late Friday night.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew's parents, his fiancee, his family and his team-mates. Our immediate concern is to do everything possible to support them at this extremely sad and difficult time," a statement from the committee said.

Robinson suffered neck and spinal injuries in a race accident on February 12 while competing at the IPC World Cup finals in La Molina, Spain.

After spending eight days in hospital in Barcelona, he was cleared by medical staff to be transported specialised Air Ambulance to Melbourne, the statement said.

"During a scheduled refuelling stop in Kuwait, Matthew suffered a cardiac arrest on board the aircraft and CPR was administered by the Air Ambulance medical crew. Sadly, he could not be revived."

The Australian Paralympic Committee will not make any further comment until officials have been advised of the wishes of Robinson's fiancee and parents.

"We ask that all media respect the privacy of Matthew's family and friends at this time."

The International Paralympic Committee added their condolences.

"The whole of the Paralympic movement is deeply saddened by this heart breaking tragedy," said IPC president Sir Philip Craven.

"Matthew was a world class and extremely popular athlete, a fact underlined by the vast number of support messages he received from around the world following last week's accident."

Snowboarding will be part of the Paralympics for the first time this year with two events at the Sochi Games which open on March 7.

Robinson was not a member of the 14-athlete squad for Sochi, with Joany Badenhorst, Trent Milton and 14-year-old Ben Tudhope to represent Australia in the snowboard cross.